A River To Fish

I arrived in Coyhaique Sunday night. Coyhaique is about halfway down the Chilean Patagonia Carretera Austral road. The weather here tonight is windy, cool to cold, and wet. The forecast says sunny and warm next week if you are a believer. The population is about 60,000 not including tourists, it is in the state of Aysen.I arrived in Coyhaique Sunday night. Coyhaique is about halfway down the Chilean Patagonia Carretera Austral road. The weather here tonight is windy, cool to cold, and wet; the forecast says sunny and warm next week if you are a believer. The population is about 60,000, not including tourists. This small city is in the state of Aysen.

During my stay here I ate well, some of the restaurants have excellent cooking, and there is a large supermercado. I managed to get all my chores done without stress. Coyhaique is not inexpensive, hotels rooms cost dearly and one must reserve in advance, good meals run about $15 and up, and the fly shops are crazy expensive, remember to bring from home anything you may need, including wader and boot repair. One can rent cars here in town. There are several rental agencies, but you must reserve far in advance, and the daily cost is extraordinarily high. I would like to fish several rivers in the area, but there seems to be no way to travel to them unless I have a car or guide. Today I will see if there are municipal buses that can take me to some nearer fishing spots.

I am taking stock of the next leg of the journey. On Friday, I travel northeast to the Pueblo of El Gato and the ranch to stay for the next few weeks. The fishing here is excellent, and there is plenty of stream and river water to fish. I visited the ranch last year and had an incredible time. It’s quiet, the owners and visitors are friendly, the food is simple Patagonian campo fare, and it is far removed from any city or town.

I will fit right in!